Father's Day is a special day for me. Since I'm not yet a father, I celebrate the day, not only for the man I call "Dad", but, for my mom as well.
You see, many many many years ago in a land not so far away (approximately 39 years ago and 82 miles), my mom decided she'd had enough and left my dad. My "natural" dad is what I call him, sperm donor is what my darling wife has named him.
My mom eventually met this great guy, started dating, and when I was four, they married.
Truth be told, I have a really hard time calling him my step-father or step-dad. Why? Well, he's never treated me any different than my two brothers; yes, brothers, not step-brothers. He praised us all the same when we were deserving and he kicked our asses all the same when we were deserving.
When I was seven, my dad legally adopted me. I took his surname and am really glad I did for a number of reasons. First, because he was my dad. He provided for me, he took care of all us kids, he took care of my mom, he raised me. Second, my previous surname was a royal pain in the ass to write (too long for a then seven year old). Last, the name was constantly mispronounced and misspelled. However, I didn't know the best part of changing names until many years later.
It wasn't until I got older that I realized how great of a person my dad is, and how my mom, being so brave back in 1972 to leave someone so abusive, was.
Having this great man come into our lives is the greatest gift my mom ever gave me, or for that matter, us.
Happy Father's Day, Dad! Have a great day and don't let mom tell you what to do! It's your day!
Happy Father's Day, Mom! Don't tell dad what to do or eat today and thanks for giving me such a great dad!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Common Courtesy
When the fuck did people lose this? Maybe they never had it... Did they miss those days at school when it was taught? Are their parents such assholes that they never taught their children to be decent human beings? And what does it say that here you are, an adult, and you have your head screwed on backwards?
I'm the first to admit...I come off rough. I say things in a tone that make people say to themselves "what an asshole." And that's fine, there's many people in front of you, so, take a number. But one thing I do know is that I practice common courtesy.
If I am at Costco and say you're are looking at a suitcase, I'm not going to step in front of you, remove the suitcase from the rack, and put it in my cart to have a closer look at it. You'd probably want to punch me in the head if I did something like that, or, at the very least, tell me off. Right?
One thing I can tell you is to this day, my parents would kick my ass if I didn't show common courtesy to someone else.
So I'm left wondering...where did our common courtesy go?
I'm the first to admit...I come off rough. I say things in a tone that make people say to themselves "what an asshole." And that's fine, there's many people in front of you, so, take a number. But one thing I do know is that I practice common courtesy.
If I am at Costco and say you're are looking at a suitcase, I'm not going to step in front of you, remove the suitcase from the rack, and put it in my cart to have a closer look at it. You'd probably want to punch me in the head if I did something like that, or, at the very least, tell me off. Right?
One thing I can tell you is to this day, my parents would kick my ass if I didn't show common courtesy to someone else.
So I'm left wondering...where did our common courtesy go?
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Confused...
So, all of these people have come out to say that they have seen or know for a fact that Lance Armstrong has taken performance enhancing drugs or masking agents. Interesting stuff to say the least.
Despite all the upgrades in technology to be able to catch somebody using these drugs, there's just one thing I can't seem to get past. After so many years and 500+ controlled drug tests, how could Lance Armstrong, not one time, have tested positive to a test? Could he really have bribed and paid off that many different people along the way? Is it so far fetched to believe that he DID bribe and pay off people?
On the other side of the coin, what does it say that Armstrong hasn't come forth and sued Floyd Landis, Frankie Andreu, and now Tyler Hamilton for both libel and slander?
And what does it say about the U.S. Government, spending millions and millions of tax payer dollars and for what, trying to indict Armstrong for something that allegedly took place in other countries? I mean, they did such a great job with Barry Bonds, why not continue to roll the dice...
Despite all the upgrades in technology to be able to catch somebody using these drugs, there's just one thing I can't seem to get past. After so many years and 500+ controlled drug tests, how could Lance Armstrong, not one time, have tested positive to a test? Could he really have bribed and paid off that many different people along the way? Is it so far fetched to believe that he DID bribe and pay off people?
On the other side of the coin, what does it say that Armstrong hasn't come forth and sued Floyd Landis, Frankie Andreu, and now Tyler Hamilton for both libel and slander?
And what does it say about the U.S. Government, spending millions and millions of tax payer dollars and for what, trying to indict Armstrong for something that allegedly took place in other countries? I mean, they did such a great job with Barry Bonds, why not continue to roll the dice...
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Derek Boogaard
I think back to when I was in high school. Nobody knew what the Internet was, or at least, nobody outside of Al Gore. LOL
Today we have a different life then we had 24 years ago. 24 years ago, my parents told me how different things were 24 years before. Today, computers, cell phones, a relentless 24 hour news cycle that brings us breaking news, along with facebook and twitter, are all the norm.
And that's how many found out about Derek Boogaard, aka Booogeyman; twitter. Derek was an NHLer, played for the Minnesota Wild and more recently the New York Rangers. Last night at 8pm local time, I came back to my office to finish up two jobs, and while running one job, I decided to check Twitter on my phone. The first tweet, from hockeyfights..."RIP Derek Boogaard."
I thought to myself "could this be right?" and I ran into the office and got online, only to find out that unfortunately, it was true.
Back in the day when I was a pro hockey rep selling equipment to hockey teams and their players, my biggest fear was that we develop friendships outside the rink with quite a few players and what happens when the "pro athlete" that we know passes away? Suddenly, the story gets personal and cuts deep.
That player, Derek Boogaard, he was never my client, but, he was my buddy Ron's client, Ron's friend.
The story is the death of a good person who happened to be a professional athlete. The story is of a son...a brother...a friend. The hockey world takes these things personally, especially to a guy known more for his fighting on the ice than his soft, gentle, funny side off the ice.
RIP Derek Boogaard...
Today we have a different life then we had 24 years ago. 24 years ago, my parents told me how different things were 24 years before. Today, computers, cell phones, a relentless 24 hour news cycle that brings us breaking news, along with facebook and twitter, are all the norm.
And that's how many found out about Derek Boogaard, aka Booogeyman; twitter. Derek was an NHLer, played for the Minnesota Wild and more recently the New York Rangers. Last night at 8pm local time, I came back to my office to finish up two jobs, and while running one job, I decided to check Twitter on my phone. The first tweet, from hockeyfights..."RIP Derek Boogaard."
I thought to myself "could this be right?" and I ran into the office and got online, only to find out that unfortunately, it was true.
Back in the day when I was a pro hockey rep selling equipment to hockey teams and their players, my biggest fear was that we develop friendships outside the rink with quite a few players and what happens when the "pro athlete" that we know passes away? Suddenly, the story gets personal and cuts deep.
That player, Derek Boogaard, he was never my client, but, he was my buddy Ron's client, Ron's friend.
The story is the death of a good person who happened to be a professional athlete. The story is of a son...a brother...a friend. The hockey world takes these things personally, especially to a guy known more for his fighting on the ice than his soft, gentle, funny side off the ice.
RIP Derek Boogaard...
Sunday, May 8, 2011
The Mrs.
The one thing I don't like about our relationship is when she hurts. It kills me. It cuts me deep to see her cry.
Today was a rough one, but I know that there's only one way to go and that's up!
I love you!
Today was a rough one, but I know that there's only one way to go and that's up!
I love you!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
April 26th
19 years ago today, I stood as Best Man for my friend Mike Wayne.
The bride, Christine, was stunning! Her cousin, Marianne, the Maid of Honor, beautiful.
The ceremony went smooth; Mazel tov!
The reception, just like any other, except I still know that I could've DJ'd better.
Today, I wished my friends a Happy Anniversary, however, today was so much more than the 19th anniversary of their wedding.
You see, on June 13/2010, Mike and Christine heard words that nobody wants to hear. Doctors told them that their 13 year old son, Jacob, had non-Hodgkins T-Cell Lymphoma. Not only the fact that he was diagnosed, but, he was rushed to CHOC (Childrens Hospital Orange County) and was immediately put into a medically induced coma and chemotherapy was started. Their son was literally fighting for his life.
It was many days later, after many prayers, that we found out that the doctors decision to put Jacob into a medically induced coma and to start chemo saved Jacob's life! Friends and family descended upon CHOC to give their support. Marianne drove out on minutes notice to be by Christine's side.
I don't know what to say about Jacob other than he is a pretty resilient young man. His doctor's brought him out of his medically induced coma, he was told what was going on (tough for anybody let alone a 13 year old), and he decided that he was going to beat this disease.
Jacob was eventually released from the hospital to what can be described as "house arrest." He really couldn't go anywhere but home. Jacob wasn't in a position to be out and about with his friends, or out to dinner with his family. The only place he was permitted to go was in the car for a trip to and from CHOC for his infusion treatments.
In the meantime, "The J-Team" was founded to raise money for LLS, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and more specifically, their Light the Night Walk. As a team, we raised $28,077.71 in only 10 weeks!
On September 19/2010, Jacob got the green light from his doctors to walk in support of LLS and Light the Night. What an incredible day that was; thousands and thousands of people at Angels Stadium, walking in support of LLS and a want to fight this horrific disease!
Jacob wasn't permitted to return to school for the first half of the school year. He was home schooled and as 2011 came, March 21st was the date Jacob was given as the OK to return back to school. He went back to school and I can only imagine that he was welcomed like a rock star!
10 days later, Jacob was honored by the Association of California School Administrators with their Every Student Succeeding Award, which is given to students who show academic success through adversity.
And if that wasn't enough, on April 6th, Jacob spoke before the LLS Board of Directors, presenting his story to them, culminating with LLS asking him to be their 2011 Honored Hero!
Here's where you get the "but wait, there's more!" While at the meeting, it was announced by the Angels that they had selected Jacob to throw out the first pitch at an Angels game. The date he was given to throw out that first pitch? April 26th...his mom and dad's 19th Anniversary.
Tonight, we went to Angels Stadium...over 100 strong. Whether we love baseball or we despise it, we went to raise money for LLS; $1000 total raised in one evening! We went to see this young man, against all odds, throw out the first pitch before a Major League Baseball game! We went to show support to our friends and let them know we will be there for them. All on April 26th.
Happy Anniversary Mike and Christine!
The bride, Christine, was stunning! Her cousin, Marianne, the Maid of Honor, beautiful.
The ceremony went smooth; Mazel tov!
The reception, just like any other, except I still know that I could've DJ'd better.
Today, I wished my friends a Happy Anniversary, however, today was so much more than the 19th anniversary of their wedding.
You see, on June 13/2010, Mike and Christine heard words that nobody wants to hear. Doctors told them that their 13 year old son, Jacob, had non-Hodgkins T-Cell Lymphoma. Not only the fact that he was diagnosed, but, he was rushed to CHOC (Childrens Hospital Orange County) and was immediately put into a medically induced coma and chemotherapy was started. Their son was literally fighting for his life.
It was many days later, after many prayers, that we found out that the doctors decision to put Jacob into a medically induced coma and to start chemo saved Jacob's life! Friends and family descended upon CHOC to give their support. Marianne drove out on minutes notice to be by Christine's side.
I don't know what to say about Jacob other than he is a pretty resilient young man. His doctor's brought him out of his medically induced coma, he was told what was going on (tough for anybody let alone a 13 year old), and he decided that he was going to beat this disease.
Jacob was eventually released from the hospital to what can be described as "house arrest." He really couldn't go anywhere but home. Jacob wasn't in a position to be out and about with his friends, or out to dinner with his family. The only place he was permitted to go was in the car for a trip to and from CHOC for his infusion treatments.
In the meantime, "The J-Team" was founded to raise money for LLS, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and more specifically, their Light the Night Walk. As a team, we raised $28,077.71 in only 10 weeks!
On September 19/2010, Jacob got the green light from his doctors to walk in support of LLS and Light the Night. What an incredible day that was; thousands and thousands of people at Angels Stadium, walking in support of LLS and a want to fight this horrific disease!
Jacob wasn't permitted to return to school for the first half of the school year. He was home schooled and as 2011 came, March 21st was the date Jacob was given as the OK to return back to school. He went back to school and I can only imagine that he was welcomed like a rock star!
10 days later, Jacob was honored by the Association of California School Administrators with their Every Student Succeeding Award, which is given to students who show academic success through adversity.
And if that wasn't enough, on April 6th, Jacob spoke before the LLS Board of Directors, presenting his story to them, culminating with LLS asking him to be their 2011 Honored Hero!
Here's where you get the "but wait, there's more!" While at the meeting, it was announced by the Angels that they had selected Jacob to throw out the first pitch at an Angels game. The date he was given to throw out that first pitch? April 26th...his mom and dad's 19th Anniversary.
Tonight, we went to Angels Stadium...over 100 strong. Whether we love baseball or we despise it, we went to raise money for LLS; $1000 total raised in one evening! We went to see this young man, against all odds, throw out the first pitch before a Major League Baseball game! We went to show support to our friends and let them know we will be there for them. All on April 26th.
Happy Anniversary Mike and Christine!
Ducks + Kings season's both end in Game 6
I don't think anyone is surprised with the way the Ducks/Preds series outcome. Nashville had the Ducks number at 3-1 in their 4 regular season games, and 4 vs. 5 match-ups are always a toss up.
You can't argue with how the big line played for the Ducks. Corey Perry with 8pts in 6 games, Ryan Getzlaf with 6pts in 6 games, and Bobby Ryan with 4 in 4, including his undressing of David Legwand in Game 5.
The second line was one of the best offensive lines in hockey, with Teemu Selanne leading the way with 7 points. His line with Saku Koivu (7pts) and Jason Blake (6pts) were great at one end of the ice, however, it seemed like they, along with defenseman Lubo Visnovsky were always on the ice when goals were scored against the Ducks.
On defense, Cam Fowler showed why he belonged in Anaheim all season. They need to drop some of the dead weight on defense and get some guys back there that that can play defense. They have a solid top 4 in Visnovsky, Fowler, Beauchemin, and Lydman. Sbisa is going to need to come into his own in 11-12. At $2+ mil next season, he becomes a larger target if he can't help shore up the defensive end. Andy Sutton no way, no how belongs in the Western Conference, and, at $2.125, he isn't a candidate for a buyout as he was a 35+ contract (WTF was Bob Murray thinking?). After that, the Ducks have a huge drop off and an even larger question in net.
Jonas Hiller hasn't been the same since signing his big deal early in the season (you'd probably have vertigo as well!). Ray Emery and Dan Ellis stood in for Hiller in relief down the stretch. Ray Emery's comeback was incredible and certainly has earned some interest with NHL teams as he will be a UFA on July 1. Do the Ducks try and keep him? Seems to me that the Ducks need to figure out what is going on with Hiller and whether his $4.5 million is worth keeping. The Ducks were 15-5-1 down the stretch to make the playoffs with the Ellis/Emery tandem. Hiller played in only 3 games after the All Star Game, going 1-0 (SO win btw) with 2 no decisions (he was pulled after 11 minutes in both games).
There is roughly $10 million open in Anaheim's budget for 11-12 and won't find out until July 1 whether Selanne wants to return, and have Todd Marchant (UFA) and Dan Sexton (RFA) out there to re-sign if they wish. Marchant had his worst season ever, and at 38, you have to wonder how much is left in the tank.
As far as the Kings are concerned, they showed inconsistency in their first round series against San Jose, despite taking 3 games to OT. One of those games, Game 3, was a complete meltdown that I've come to term "The Fuck Up on Figueroa." Is a 4-0 lead the worst lead in hockey? I always thought a 2 goal lead was the worst.
The Kings had a great opportunity to win Games 1 and 6, especially with a 5 minute power play late in regulation of game 6. If I am a Sharks fan, I'm worried. 3 games go to OT with the Kings missing Anze Kopitar, and, having a 75% Justin Williams? The only flash I feel SJ showed was in their Game 3 comeback and their domination in Game 4. The Sharks are lucky to have moved on.
19 regular season games and 6 playoff games showed us exactly how lazy Dustin Penner is. He went 2g+4a, EVEN, and 2pim since he arrived in LA from EDM. His playoff line was 1g+1a, -3, 4pim. Maybe if he wasn't 6ft4 and almost 250lbs, he wouldn't stand out as such a lazy fuck! Do the Kings suck it up and play him at a $4.25 million cap hit, or, are they better off with a $1.417 million buyout for each of the next two seasons? Remember, you have Brayden Schenn most likely coming up next year at $3.14 mil. Add in the buyout, and Schenn essentially costs you $4.557 mil. Sounds better to me than $7.39 mil for both.
Kings have $48 million on the books for next season and still don't have Drew Doughty signed (RFA). The have Michal Handzus (can't see LA bringing him back at $4 mil), Poni (not coming back at @ $3.2), Brad Richardson (RFA + due for a small raise), Oscar Moller (RFA; I still think this guy is a career AHLer), Wayne Simmonds (RFA + due for a raise of some sort; maybe a longer term deal at less $), Trevor Lewis (RFA who came into his own in the playoffs), and Alec Martinez (has certainly earned a spot with the big club) out there as free agents.
Keep in mind the Kings have Kopitar coming back, so, the top end of the team will look a little different than what we saw in the 1st round against SJ.
You can't argue with how the big line played for the Ducks. Corey Perry with 8pts in 6 games, Ryan Getzlaf with 6pts in 6 games, and Bobby Ryan with 4 in 4, including his undressing of David Legwand in Game 5.
The second line was one of the best offensive lines in hockey, with Teemu Selanne leading the way with 7 points. His line with Saku Koivu (7pts) and Jason Blake (6pts) were great at one end of the ice, however, it seemed like they, along with defenseman Lubo Visnovsky were always on the ice when goals were scored against the Ducks.
On defense, Cam Fowler showed why he belonged in Anaheim all season. They need to drop some of the dead weight on defense and get some guys back there that that can play defense. They have a solid top 4 in Visnovsky, Fowler, Beauchemin, and Lydman. Sbisa is going to need to come into his own in 11-12. At $2+ mil next season, he becomes a larger target if he can't help shore up the defensive end. Andy Sutton no way, no how belongs in the Western Conference, and, at $2.125, he isn't a candidate for a buyout as he was a 35+ contract (WTF was Bob Murray thinking?). After that, the Ducks have a huge drop off and an even larger question in net.
Jonas Hiller hasn't been the same since signing his big deal early in the season (you'd probably have vertigo as well!). Ray Emery and Dan Ellis stood in for Hiller in relief down the stretch. Ray Emery's comeback was incredible and certainly has earned some interest with NHL teams as he will be a UFA on July 1. Do the Ducks try and keep him? Seems to me that the Ducks need to figure out what is going on with Hiller and whether his $4.5 million is worth keeping. The Ducks were 15-5-1 down the stretch to make the playoffs with the Ellis/Emery tandem. Hiller played in only 3 games after the All Star Game, going 1-0 (SO win btw) with 2 no decisions (he was pulled after 11 minutes in both games).
There is roughly $10 million open in Anaheim's budget for 11-12 and won't find out until July 1 whether Selanne wants to return, and have Todd Marchant (UFA) and Dan Sexton (RFA) out there to re-sign if they wish. Marchant had his worst season ever, and at 38, you have to wonder how much is left in the tank.
As far as the Kings are concerned, they showed inconsistency in their first round series against San Jose, despite taking 3 games to OT. One of those games, Game 3, was a complete meltdown that I've come to term "The Fuck Up on Figueroa." Is a 4-0 lead the worst lead in hockey? I always thought a 2 goal lead was the worst.
The Kings had a great opportunity to win Games 1 and 6, especially with a 5 minute power play late in regulation of game 6. If I am a Sharks fan, I'm worried. 3 games go to OT with the Kings missing Anze Kopitar, and, having a 75% Justin Williams? The only flash I feel SJ showed was in their Game 3 comeback and their domination in Game 4. The Sharks are lucky to have moved on.
19 regular season games and 6 playoff games showed us exactly how lazy Dustin Penner is. He went 2g+4a, EVEN, and 2pim since he arrived in LA from EDM. His playoff line was 1g+1a, -3, 4pim. Maybe if he wasn't 6ft4 and almost 250lbs, he wouldn't stand out as such a lazy fuck! Do the Kings suck it up and play him at a $4.25 million cap hit, or, are they better off with a $1.417 million buyout for each of the next two seasons? Remember, you have Brayden Schenn most likely coming up next year at $3.14 mil. Add in the buyout, and Schenn essentially costs you $4.557 mil. Sounds better to me than $7.39 mil for both.
Kings have $48 million on the books for next season and still don't have Drew Doughty signed (RFA). The have Michal Handzus (can't see LA bringing him back at $4 mil), Poni (not coming back at @ $3.2), Brad Richardson (RFA + due for a small raise), Oscar Moller (RFA; I still think this guy is a career AHLer), Wayne Simmonds (RFA + due for a raise of some sort; maybe a longer term deal at less $), Trevor Lewis (RFA who came into his own in the playoffs), and Alec Martinez (has certainly earned a spot with the big club) out there as free agents.
Keep in mind the Kings have Kopitar coming back, so, the top end of the team will look a little different than what we saw in the 1st round against SJ.
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